Feature: Randall-Reilly Announces 2012 Trucking’s Top Rookie Program

June 1, 2012

Last year, Randall-Reilly Recruiting Media pursued a suggestion from the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) and launched a Trucking’s Top Rookie contest to increase pride and professionalism among new drivers, and promote the truck driving career choice during a severe shortage of drivers. Through its many trucking periodicals and industry partners like Progressive Insurance, the National Association of Independent Truckers (NAIT), Shell ROTELLA, and the Red Eye Radio Network, Randall-Reilly was able to promote the contest and to recognize 24 nominees.

Thanks to support from those sponsors and association partnerships with the Truckload Carriers Association, American Trucking Associations, CVTA, National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools, and Professional Truck Driver Institute, last year’s contest received great response. With $25,000 in cash and prizes plus more time for entries, this year’s contest promises to be bigger and better.

Randall-Reilly Recruiting Media is excited to add Pilot Flying J and Lindora Clinic as new sponsors for the 2012 Trucking’s Top Rookie contest. “We really wanted a truck stop partner for Trucking’s Top Rookie, and Pilot Flying J has more than 500 locations,” Scott Miller, Vice President of Randall-Reilly Recruiting Media said.

Our industry has placed an increased emphasis on wellness, so Miller said it made sense for Lindora to be involved in a promotion for entry level drivers. “The Trucker’s Weight Loss Showdown that Lindora conducted was a huge success, and we are thrilled with their participation.”

Last year’s Trucking’s Top Rookie winner, TMC Transportation’s Darek Paul, is presented a $10,000 check by Mike Reilly, CEO of Randall Reilly Publishing, during a press conference at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas.

Any CDL holder who has graduated from a PTDI certified, or NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school within the past year and has been employed by a trucking company for less than one year, is eligible for the award.

An expert panel of judges, which includes representatives from motor carriers, schools (both public and private), suppliers and trade associations, will identify 10 finalists. The winner will be recognized during a press conference at the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, TX, and then interviewed by Eric Harley on the Red Eye Radio Network. All nominees will be featured in a commemorative card set produced by Photo Card Specialists. “These are similar to the baseball cards I collected as kids, and the drivers and sponsors who were featured in last year’s card pack thought these were a great idea,” Milled added.

TMC Transportation featured Darek Paul, last year’s Trucking’s Top Rookie winner, on billboards along two interstates in the Midwest.

Darek Paul, a Nashville native who received his CDL training at CDI in Christiana, Tennessee before becoming a driver with TMC Transportation, won last year’s contest. Prior to entering the trucking industry, Paul served in the Army for three years and spent 15 months in Iraq.

Duane Boswell, VP of Recruiting for TMC, said Darek was a logical choice to nominate for the Trucking’s Top Rookie contest. “Darek proved he was a fine young man in orientation, where he earned the honor roll award for his high test scores,” Boswell said. “He also had the support of his fleet manager, who said Darek was a hard working guy who rolled with the punches to get the job done to deliver his loads on time and communicated his personal needs as well as needs for the care of the company’s equipment.”

Entry-level drivers who can perform their job safely, efficiently and with pride are the type of people the trucking industry wishes to hire and attract to the profession, and Darek Paul epitomized those qualities.

The other nine finalists will receive $1,000 and a similar prize pack.

Nominations may be made by motor carrier employers, training organizations, the general public and/or other interested parties. There is a standardized nomination form, which can be completed online at http://www.truckload.org/rookie between June 1 and July 13, 2012. If you know a qualified driver or recent training school graduate, please nominate them today!